Atmospheric Corrosion: A Matter Hanging over Havana’s Coastline
Corrosion affects the metallic structures as well as reinforced concrete
Capable of destroying the most diverse metals and alloys and reinforced concrete, corrosion is considered as the most important enemy of the buildings exposed to direct action coming from the coastal environment
It’s hard to assess accurately the impact of atmospheric corrosion on buildings located in coastal areas of Havana’s coastline, which not only spoils the urban landscape, but also threatens human lives through sudden collapses.
It’s a negative phenomenon existing for decades in the urban environment, which has forced to more than a few constructive actions, geared to eliminate, stop or mitigate the deterioration of the reinforced concrete structures of facades, walls, decks and interiors of any building.
As part of the revitalization of the construction minibrigade movement in the 1980s and the 1990s of last century, in order to advance as fast as possible in the construction of a higher number of homes, in localities like Alamar and Cojimar homes were built under the low-cost system, in reference to minimum level of cement , arid and steel codification, as well as wall and roof elements.
Consequences of that economy drive in which construction materials were rationed out are still observed today, when the inhabitants of those buildings are forced to repair them, especially when the damage caused by salt residue has been progressive, despite the resources allotted by the State, or by the families, that take actions on their own.
Before that pressing situation, specialists from the National Scientific Research Center (CNIC) and the School of Engineering at CUJAE University, implemented jointly the research project study on the aggressive coastal environment in Havana and its impact on the reinforced concrete structure.
A report by Orfilio Peláez, from Granma newspaper highlights that its execution involved experts from the Construction Research Center attached to the ministry of that branch, the Autonomous University of Campeche in Mexico and the Diagnosis Laboratory from the Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad (Historian of the City Office).
“We could confirm the level of corrosive aggressiveness classed as very high and extreme, particularly in areas of Havana’s coastline exposed to the permanent spray of salt coming from the sea without protection whatsoever”, stated head of the Group for Material Protection Doctor of Technical Sciences Abel Castañeda Valdés and one of the main authors alongside CUJAE Full Professor Doctor Juan José Howland Albear.
According to other sources, the map of Cuba’s corrosive aggressiveness was presented for the first time by Dr. Francisco Corvo and nationally recognized by the Area of Research and Development of Fight Against Corrosion from the Academy of Sciences.
But without that merit, a work guide as important as that one is encouraging for the country, especially for the reinforced concrete, serving, guiding and leading investors to design constructions near the sea, where atmospheric corrosion wreaks havoc affecting the housing and equity fund.
Like Doctor Abel Castañeda told Granma newspaper, that is a safe and efficacious scientific tool, which will make easier the design of different combinations of concrete mixtures more resistant to the penetration of chloride ions salt.
The aforementioned will increase the lives of new buildings, avoids the early deterioration of structures, in addition to reducing and prolonging the time of costly repairs, stressed the referred article by Orfilio Peláez.